Page 58 - Novelist Post – J.D. Barker and more

Laura Ball Shares the Joys and Journeys
Behind Her Beloved Mysteries
and Children’s Books
Laura Ball discusses her passion for writing cozy mysteries and children’s books, her inspirations, creative process, publishing challenges, and her mission to spread joy, kindness, and imagination through her stories.
Celebrating Heartfelt Stories, Cozy Mysteries, And Inspiring Adventures
in Trouble and The Whiskered Witness, she invites readers
into delightful worlds brim- ming with mystery, humor, and heart. Equally impressive are her award-winning children’s picture books featuring Albert the Donkey—tender, timeless stories that weave friendship, kindness, and imagination into every page. Ball’s writing shines with authenticity, warmth, and a genuine passion for encouraging young readers and captivating mystery lovers alike.
What first inspired you to write cozy mysteries like Whiskers in Trouble?
I have always been a mystery lover. My mom is a big cozy mystery fan. As long as I can remember I wanted to be a writer. My mom and I would always talk about writing our own mystery and she encouraged me to write one. I spent three years on the story and finally Whiskers in Trouble was born.
What drew you to create heartwarming children’s books alongside your mysteries?
Once I had self-published my two cozy mysteries, the writing bug really took hold of me. I felt like a real writer which was a dream come true for me. Once I
to write a book that encouraged reading with children and build that love of reading from a young age, like I developed. Reading is such an important life skill and can impact many aspects of life and development of a person.
it to my novel template. I tend
to go back and forth from using the outline to plot and write in to my actual manuscript template in Word or Google Docs.
58 II NOVELIST POST
LBy Carly Preston London aura Ball’s storytelling
had the idea for the first Albert the Donkey book, I became very pas- sionate about writing for children. I wanted to write a book that en- couraged children and entertained them and allowed them to explore a new world with their imagina- tion while also teaching valuable lessons in the process. I wanted
in. Once I start toying with an idea, I mull it over until the plot starts
to take shape. Once I get the basic idea, I can run with it from there.
is a true gift to the literary world. With her charming cozy mysteries Whiskers
For my mystery novels, I have learned that I must use the outline method. I break down my mys- teries into 10 chapters with five scenes per chapter. I break down each chapter into scenes or plot po- ints that I want to focus on for that chapter. This keeps me focused and organized as I write. I have a habit of writing out the scene inside the actual outline and then copying
In this issue, we are thrilled to sit down with Laura Ball to explore the inspirations behind her beloved characters, her creative process, and her journey as a self-published author who has built a beautifully diverse writing portfolio. Her words are filled with encourage- ment, wisdom, and a sincere love for storytelling that leaves a lasting impression.
Can you tell us about the real- life inspiration behind Albert the donkey and Eddie the dog?
Albert is inspired by a real don- key who lives on a farm in a neigh- boring town near my hometown. I see this donkey when I drive throu- gh the area sometimes. My family saw this adorable donkey and we began making up stories about him for fun. We randomly named him Albert. My mom encouraged me
to write a story about him for kids, and I decided it might be fun. So
I wrote the first book, and that is how Albert the Donkey was born.
Eddie is very loosely inspired by my dog, also named Eddie, who is a Cavapoo/Beagle mix. My Eddie is curious, playful, spoiled rotten, and very stubborn. I imagine that Eddie in the books is similar in some ways, although I highly doubt that he is as spoiled! Eddie is very attached to my dad, and they go everywhere and do everything with each other.
What is your typical writing process like when developing a new story?
A story idea will come to me
in the most unexpected ways and places. For my picture books, I try to imagine the kind of fun and even mischief that a donkey and a dog on a farm can find themselves
How do you balance mystery, humor, and heartfelt moments in your novels?
I try to use my own experiences to create well-rounded characters. Having characters that are relatable to the reader is important to keep the readers interested in the cha- racters and what happens to them throughout the story. I put a little of myself in each character, so each one is a part of me. My sense of humor, my hopeless romantic side, my curiosity and love of mysteries – those all feature in the characters in my cozy novels. A reader can see a part of themselves in each of the main characters whether it be the heroine, the love interest, or even the villain. This balance allows the reader to stay interested and invested in the plot and what happens.
What advantages will the
world gain from your books?
I think kids will develop a sense of friendship and doing things
for others, being kind and helpful from my book. Four aspects of my books are friendship, kindness, helping those in need, and doing what is right. I believe those are all attributes that can and should